Find Overseas Jobs

If like me, you have ever dreamed of working in an exotic location and seeing the sights in your spare time then this one is for you. Let’s face it if you don’t mind some occasional hard work, getting a job in another country can be one of the best ways to travel. Being one of the ‘people’ you get an entirely unique and down-to-earth experience, one that is a little off the beaten track. If all this sounds just up your alley you may be wondering just how to begin your search for overseas jobs. It isn’t always easy to find jobs that provide a good all-round experience and the answer is to do research, research and more research! Yes, doing some in-depth, intensive researching is the best way to find those exotic and exciting overseas jobs and there are some good places to start.

By working your way around a country you can be sure of an experience that is a little more than the India, Africa, Far East or Europe that most travelers see, but an international job search can be tricky and more than a little confusing. How do you know that what is being advertised is really what you will find when you get there, what is the value of a countries money when you get back home and will you be safe there? These are just some of the questions potential travelers find themselves faced with when they try to find work overseas.

Here are some job search tips to make it a little easier for you:

1. Approach your job search like you would any other. Put in some effort and planning and see the process as a learning experience rather than a complex mission.

2. Read and research as much as you can about a countries history, culture, economics and people as you can. Learn about the local customs, pastimes, transportation and any crime problems. This will help you to avoid a horrible, even dangerous, mistake.

3. Remember that the overseas job market is very competitive and fairly saturated. You may get lucky and find a good position immediately but it is far more likely that you will need to be persistent and very focused on the job you want or you won’t get it. Don’t forget there are hundreds of other people vying for the same jobs. Don’t give up and you will be well rewarded.

Where to begin your Overseas Jobs search

You may want to start your search the old fashioned way by sending for brochures or magazines from the local tourism board, however, most have really great websites these days. They are a veritable treasure trove of information not only about job opportunities but also airline information, climate, culture, places of interest, rental cars and other modes of transport. This is probably the best way to begin a search for overseas jobs. Write to the tourism board administrators and ask for a list of companies who offer temporary or part-time employment or full time work if you will be able to work there permanently. This should give you a basis from which to start your search.

Many web sites have online groups or message boards where visitors to a particular country share news, views and good or bad experiences with each other including those about overseas jobs. This is a great way to network and get the inside story about the pros and cons of a particular country.

Once you have a country or job description in mind, try to answer the following questions to see how well you rate:

* Foreign language skills – Is the country well versed in English? While English IS an international language many small towns and cities don’t use it very often and rely on local dialects. If not, can you speak any of the languages most frequently spoken?

* Overseas Experience – Many people have a problem adjusting to life in another country. If you have lived and worked in other countries before and been away from home for fairly lengthy periods, it will stand you in good stead on your job application.

* Make sure your resume reflects the same information as your covering letter or e-mails or any job application forms. All documentation should contain the same information. In other words update your curriculum vitae!

* Determine where the company holds interviews. If a firm is canvassing for employees in a specific country it generally arranges interviews there too, but it is a good idea to make sure before you submit your application.

* Valid passports – Are you eligible for one to the country you want to work in? Overseas jobs often exclude certain groups from applying.

* Visas and work permits – Make sure you understand what these are and how they work. Different countries have different visa requirements and work permits may only cover certain types of work within the country.

* Salaries, taxes and the cost of living – Sure it may sound like a lot of money when you apply but if no accommodation is going to be arranged for you, you will have to find your own. Make sure you understand the real value of the money you will be earning with your overseas jobs.

* Health concerns – Will you need any vaccinations or blood tests to rule out certain diseases before entering the country? Is it a high-risk area for a specific disease and will you need to take any preventative medications? Many overseas jobs are in areas that could be hazardous to your health!

* Transportation – If you will be traveling on public transportation make sure you know exactly how reliable this is. Many countries offer cheap transportation but much of it can be unsafe and unreliable. There could be nothing worse than being stranded in a strange country!

Searching the web sites above and answering these few basic questions should help you to narrow down your selection down to at least a few good options.

Whichever country and job you do decide on make sure you feel comfortable with its lifestyle, culture and living conditions. You are not going to be happy if you get a horrible shock when you arrive and have to work there for a whole year!

The truth is some overseas jobs are fantastic experiences to learn and travel and others are a nightmare journey.

Take the time to research and discover all you can BEFORE signing on the dotted line and you will go a long way to finding the job of your dreams.

The best overseas jobs are the ones you write home about!

Happy Traveling!